oregonknl

Yeah, I have to agree, the dinner boats on the Pearl River are one of the very best experiences in GZ! I traveled to GZ for years, and stayed in the White Swan (highly recommended), and watched the boats from my room, but never put two and two together... ...took my Fei, to push me into it --- just before coming to America. Her parents came to see her off, and we booked a dinner cruise... Her Father, a former PLA officer was stationed in GZ in the 1950's, and saw from the river many old buildings he remembered, but had not seen since. Many of the old buildings are lighted, so it was easy for him to pick them out... Also, the food on our cruise was pretty good!

When Jet was still an "only child", and at age 4 very used to getting her own way, we took her back to China for the first time in 1999.. Naturally, she's Chinese as all get out, so people generally couldn't understand why she seemed so casual, and "unruly" (American) ... We came upon a girl her age in the old GZ Domestic airport getting the holy s-t beat out of her by her grandparents (clearly country people) while her GZ parents looked on ---- naturally a big crowd watching too.... .... I felt very sorry for that girl, who was clearly too tired to comply with her grandparent's instructions ----- Jet was shocked ..... but I told her: don't expect that spankings are out of the question for you.. Two years later when her sister Eve arrived, there was war between them in the household, and both got plenty of spankings....

King's advice continues to be consistently good. Good lawyers first anticipate the worst case scenario that the client can expect from the opposition... (call me cynical, but PLEASE! in this life, always give me a cynical lawyer like King!) ----yes, if you are going to record the conversation, expect the same! In this case, as in many others like it in China, there is a certain combination of desperation and jealousy associated with our SO's PRECEIVED material improvement by coming to America. Since confidentiality is a major factor in my line of work, I naturally advised Fei not to tell anyone of our plans early on (she didn't throught the usual route, work etc..) But some of you may remember the "Storming of the Consulate" posts... Went on and on, and was stoked by a very jealous member of 001.... ..... I am pleased to report that there were no repercusions to those who stood by Fei in that GZ group ---- of those that she kept in touch with, ALL are now safely in the US.. But I do think that there should be some place at the top of the advice that we place on this web site to newbies: TELL YOUR SO THAT HE/SHE MUST HOLD THE VISA CARD CLOSE TO THE CHEST!!!!!! STRICTLY A "NEED TO KNOW" BASIS!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not sure what the specific answer is, But I can tell that the issue amy still be fairly fluid. Of my adopted Chinese daughters, daugher # 1, upon arrival had to apply for citizenship like any Chinese in her situation (and even at age 4, was asked several questions by the INS Officer at her citizenship interview.) By 2001, (daughter #2) Congress had changed the law, and she became an automatic citizen the moment she set foot on American soil at LAX.

King. As usual a very worthwhile post! Maybe you could add a little when you get a chance ---- how far off of the subway is the new Consulate office, (how close to the E. GZ rail station?) Also, just curious, will you be moving your Immigaration Law practice office closer to the new Consulate building?

Hey Clifford ~! Welcome back! --- Kim

Great to hear that the re-enforcements are on the way~! The Candle get-together is now an official National event!! Trigg and FangLing have arrived from TN, and we have already completed a most successful "pre-function" --- Next up is the dinner at Jakes (Sat. evening) --- although those staying at Day's Inn downtown will most certainly have the opportunity to "experience" lamb with Trigg before that time.. Sat. at Jakes: THE RESERVATION IS UNDER THE NAME: LATHROP ---but my guess is that if you show up with a Chinese SO on your arm, they will put two and two together...

OK Jim, Count on an extra ice chest from us! Will also bring a few greens to augment Don's corn ... do expect the the lambs and the goats to be represented.... but in smaller cuts....

OK, That does it!! ALL I'm bringing is raw kale and beets from my garden ..... so unless ya'll want a "vegan weekend" in Portland, you better start taken' this seriously... Trigg, I don't think there is a fire pit on site that will accept even a reasonably big cut of meat, but I could be wrong: JIMMMMMMM?????? ITS GETTING LATE PEOPLE!! OK, sometime this week will everyone please post exactly what they are bringing ??? That way, before the Great Event we can fill-in any gaps.... --- OK????

Yeah, I'll also bring some play things, my girls will be there, and for some reason, they really enjoy throwing around those soft, spungy footballs --- have a couple of those.. I will be bringing at least one extra portable grill --- charcoal --

OK, OK !! Its Sunday for cryin' out loud!! one week out! Take the LL stuff back to the LL... We got planning to do. People need to commit to food groups... Sure, I'll bring some meat, but can't provide all of it... Jim is on record for beverages, but he too, might need some help... OK, lets get some input form EVERYONE whos comming!! This is gonna' be great, but it isn't going to plan itself!

Yep.. durian... personally, I don't like it... Fei does, but we haven't bought it here in the local Chinese markets --- even though it is common .... not that cheap... (where this thread began...) Fei and I both have the same reaction about chicken feet ---- too sticky! Could make glue out of it! ("They shoot horses don't they?") Does anyone else notice that in some "meat and potatos" cities throughout China that people hang ducks with their laundry from thei balconies?? I first saw that in Nanjing in the 1990's, and have seen it since --- (mostly inland cities..) --- Sort of a "keeping up with the Jones'" sort of thing ---- "LOOK! We have a duck!

OTRMark, AOS seems to be something that is not only different from region to region, but also within a specific region --- Fei informs me that Juxin (Portland Jim) already has an official green card, while she waits.... Even though she applied weeks before Juxin... I'm just glad she ain't waiting in China!

Congradulations to you both~!! And thanks for the post about the interview .... I think it is at least the second time that a VO has suggested either: A) "the relationship is too young", or " that you two have not known each other very long" -- -- both of these seem to be a gentle trip wire --- less obvious than the classic: "How many times did your SO visit you in China" --- ---- as the world turns at the GZ consulate... Fortunately, neither Candle couple fell for it!

JAKES IT IS!!! OFFICIALLY BOOKED: FOR 5:30 PM Saturday, June 25th! (Address is 401 SW 12th., 503-226-1419 -- and if you get into a cab that doesn't know Jakes ---- get out immediately!!! ) We will have 4 tables of 4, and they will do everthing possible to put them together --- (personally, I think they will) ---- but there is a National Square-Dancing deal in town that weekend, so the proximity might be a problem... Talked to the floor manager personally, he understands the situation... that means alot at Jakes.. its that kind of place.

Jim and Jen ~! WAY TO GO !!!!!!!! CONGRADULATIONS ~!

Sometimes, what goes around, comes around.. Fei's family is totally Communist, except for herself ---- all party members.. The potential problem, as I see it, is down the road for anyone who doesn't face this (and get it in writing) ---- prior to the interview... Immigration law is so clear on this point --- as I recall, it specifically asks if you were a member of the COMMUNIST PARTY! Sure, it might not come up, but if relations go south between the US and PRC, as they do from time to time ---- not sure that dodging the issue in "happier" times will protect your SO from being deported during the difficult times... Last difficult time wasn't that long ago ---- remember the downing of the American Spy plane? ---- that incident substantially changed the security at the Consulate in Guangzhou.. things have been much different there since..

OK I'M GETTING READY TO BOOK JAKES ON SATURDAY EVENING, JUNE 25TH. IF YOU ARE COMMING TO THE GET TOGETHER, AND HAVEN'T POSTED AN INTEREST IN BEING AT JAKES ON SAT. EVENING ------- SPEAK NOW, OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE!!!!!!

Personally, I like the idea of Jakes on Friday night, but it wasn't my idea. And we are only getting input from a few who plan to attend.. I'm not gonna ram-rod something that most people don't want, and I assume price is a factor??? So, PLEASE! We still have time to make this plan, but I want it to be something everyone (or most) will feel comfortable with... So: 1) Jakes it is. 2) Western style, perhaps a burger joint.. (inexpensive, national chain type pricing) 3) Chinese, still substantially less than Jakes.... SPEAK NOW, OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE !!!! BTW About a dress code at Jakes, there is none that I am aware of, but tank tops and shorts would make you stand out a little... I would expect to see very few "suits" on a Saturday evening, on average, perhaps more like a button down shirt, and long pants (mostly) ... but there would be plenty of people dressed other ways as well..

Sorry Dan, Have a previous obligation at the time of your arrival, otherwise, I'd be happy to take you to your hotel ! Thanks for the input on Jakes, I will consider booking Jakes.... BUT! I NEED MORE YEAS THAT ARE CERTAIN!!!! NOW IS THE TIME IF YOU WANT TO DINE AT JAKES ON THE 25TH~!!!

Dan, it means you pay a couple of bucks... What is the date and time of your arrival?

Yes Carl, thats correct! You can hop any bus or light rail in the "fairless square" area --- no charge~! For the last couple of years it also extends to Portland's east side ---- the Lloyd district ... on the other side of the Willamette River..

Great work nooneufo! A few points: There have been "near misses" in the interview process ---- My Fei was one of them. If I hadn't been there several days before hand to prepare her, Fei certainly would have drawn a blue slip... but yeah, it probably would have been overcome eventually in her case... I related our account here at the Candle, several others have as well.. Third party interference could be ANYBODY! Not just a match-maker owed money, for instance, but also jealous co-worker, for (as Fei feared, but which did not come to pass..) Carl's advice is best for the SO particularly---- don't let others know your SO plans in China ---- ----- And who knows .... (in the mind's eye of the GZ Consulate) what constitutes vaidity --- a valid source of information against your SO..... Certainly, NOTHING close to that which would stand up in an American Court of Law...

Great ! (where is the: "You Know Your SO is Chinese.... " Thread ?? (when you need it??) Very amusing!

One thing: Jakes (particularly on a Saturday night) ---- willl be strictly reservation only ----- so if people are serious about Jakes, suggest we take a head count of those seriously interested ---- no "maybes" No point is pissing off the wait staff with no shows on a busy night ---- its that kind of a place... ... they publish every day what the call a "Fresh Sheet" ---- it comes with the traditional menu which is already spectacular, but on it are specials (seafood mostly) coming in from around the world, and scored by the Chef --- (special enough to make the Fresh Sheet..) If this sounds familiar for some of you who have dinned in the So. part of China, you arn't far off ----- on anything but the price... Is it worth it? minus the price of the plane ticket, I think so...